Joey Logano, the current NASCAR Cup Series champion, has opened up about the challenges he faced during his early years in racing, shedding light on the reasons behind his struggles. Starting his Cup Series career at 18 and enduring a difficult start before finding success, Logano’s reflections provide insight into the hurdles he overcame in the sport.
A Rocky Beginning with Joe Gibbs Racing
Logano made his Cup Series debut at just 18 years old, which earned him the nickname “sliced bread” due to his young age and promise. He secured a full-time ride in the 2009 season, joining Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) where he spent three seasons. However, these initial years were underwhelming, with performances that many critics labeled as overhyped for a young driver. The struggles culminated in his departure from the Toyota-backed JGR team in 2011.
In 2012, Logano signed with Team Penske Racing. Despite a tough first season at Penske, he began to demonstrate his true potential in 2013 by securing his first wins. Over the next 13 years, he amassed over 35 race victories and three Bill France Cup titles, cementing his status as one of NASCAR’s top competitors. Ahead of the 2025 Gateway Cup playoff race, Logano discussed what he believes held him back in those formative years.
Understanding the Root of Early Challenges
The driver of the No. 22 Ford Mustang admitted that his key early obstacle was a lack of maturity. Though focused and careful to avoid careless errors, he struggled with leading his team and asserting himself on the track—qualities essential for any racer aiming for championships.
I feel like probably some of my maturity level held me back a little bit…Not that I was out there doing dumb things. I was very focused in on what I was doing, but I didn’t lead my team as good as I felt like I should have. I wasn’t assertive enough. —Joey Logano said via Speedway Media.
Logano indicated that this immaturity was linked to low self-confidence early on. His JGR team at the time was structured for drivers with more experience, not a rookie like himself. He reflected that if he had been surrounded by the right support earlier, his career might have taken a different trajectory, possibly even within the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) setup.
I wasn’t confident enough to do that, and I feel like that, over time, kind of set me back a little bit to start. That team that I started with would have been great at this time of my career, but as a rookie, it was not. You just have to have the right people at the right times around you. —Joey Logano added.
Balancing Racing with Personal Commitments Limits Social Media Presence
In the same interview, Logano was asked about his use of social media during the high-pressure playoff period. Despite receiving criticism regarding his opinions on the championship format, he shared that his engagement online is limited due to family responsibilities and a busy personal life.
To be honest with you, I can’t say I’m on social media that often. Three kids at home. I’ve got a very busy life. I’ve got a lot of different jobs going on. —Joey Logano said.
He also described his social media experience as largely unproductive, noting the prevalence of uninformed commentary on the sport found online. Because of this, he prefers to focus his time and energy on aspects of racing he can control and finds meaningful.
I don’t really mess with it much and there’s a lot of opinions that are uneducated on there a lot of times – not all the time, but a lot of times. I know what I have to focus on because I’m in it, I’m doing it every day, so I make sure I focus on that. I’ve found over the years that social media is a complete waste of time and so I try to not be on it. —Joey Logano added.
Implications and What Lies Ahead for Logano
Logano’s candid assessment of his early career hurdles reveals how maturity and confidence play a critical role in the success of professional drivers. His journey highlights the importance of having the right team environment to support growth, especially for younger athletes.
His prudent approach to social media and prioritizing family responsibilities also reflects a broader strategy aimed at longevity and sustained performance in NASCAR. With multiple championships and race wins already to his name, Logano still has much to contribute to the sport. Observers and fans will be watching closely to see how his career continues to evolve as he balances competition with his personal life and leadership role on and off the track.
